Free Early Education and childcare for 3 and 4 year olds

All 3 and 4 year old children are entitled to free early education and childcare for 15 hours per week for 38 weeks a year. Additional hours can be accessed at a fee and depending on the individual setting.

To give parents and carers choice and flexibility; the 15 hours can be taken over a minimum of 2 days 7am – 7pm with no session being shorter than 2.5 hours or longer than 10 hours. Parents may also choose to take fewer hours per week over the full year rather than over 38 weeks, however this will depend on the individual settings' opening hours and session availability.

Eligibility (who is this service for?)

This entitlement starts from the school term following a child’s third birthday.

Month child was born School term free childcare can start

Between 1st January and 31st March From 1st April (Summer term)

Between 1st April and 31st August From 1st September (Autumn term)

Between 1st September and 31st December From 1st January (Spring term)

Where can I access a place?

Early Education and childcare takes place in maintained nurseries based at some Primary Schools, private Preschools / Nurseries and some Childminders who are registered to receive Nursery Education Grant Funding.

How do I find a place?

The Family Information Service Directory has a list of all the childcare services that offer the free entitlement. Parents/carers can search this list by area to find their nearest childcare providers. Alternatively parents can contact the Family Information Service contact centre on 01942 489004 who will be able to provide a list of settings best suited to you.

Once you know which childcare settings you are interested in you are advised to contact them directly to visit and enrol your child.